Controversial tests for women come under scrutiny in China

Daisy emailed her answers as she was too embarrassed to talk about it on phone. The answers were brief and in broken English but that could not veil her outright anger at the invasive but mandatory medical check-ups she was subjected to after applying to be a public servant and passing the written examination.

worldUpdated: Apr 01, 2012 23:28 IST

Sutirtho Patranobis Hindustan Times

Daisy emailed her answers as she was too embarrassed to talk about it on phone. The answers were brief and in broken English but that could not veil her outright anger at the invasive but mandatory medical check-ups she was subjected to after applying to be a public servant and passing the written examination.

“Firstly, I was asked to write down some private information in a form, including the date and quantity of menstruation. I think it was ridiculous, the date and quantity has no relation with a person’s capacity. After finishing the forms, we were taken for the check-up by a doctor. The doctors checked my chest, vulvae and took an ultrasound. I felt very uncomfortable; I did not need a medical check but (was) asked to take off my clothes,” Daisy said in her email.

These intrusive tests are mandatory for all women who want to become public servants.

Daisy is not alone in thinking that these tests are not only invasive but also reeks of gender discrimination.

A Beijing-based NGO working on gender discrimination issues, Beijing Yirenping Center, wrote to various ministries in March, asking them to abolish the tests.

Besides collecting the candidate’s medical history and marking his or her height, weight, blood pressure and history of surgery, the tests include the detailed inspection of male and female reproductive organs.